There's a lot of chatter lately about bringing streetcars back to Downtown LA, specifically a Broadway line that would connect LA Live to Disney Hall. A recent New York Times article proves streetcar-envy is widespread, mainly thanks to Portland's successful model which rehabbed an entire neighborhood and sent property values through the roof. Now, an editorial in the Pasadena Star-News says bringing the old red and yellow cars to the 'Dena would make the prosperous burg even more so. Calling for an L-shaped route from Old Pas before turning south on Lake, the article says these mini-transit lines can go up quickly, get people out of the car and into stores, and make urban living more livable.
· Streetcars? Again? [Pasadena Star-News]
· Streetcar possibilities have Downtowners fired up [Curbed LA]
The folks behind California's planned high-speed train—which would travel between Downtown's Union Station and San Francisco in under two and a half hours—are, via email blasts, hitting up folks for money. We're not talking about the $10 billion bond measure that will be on your November ballot, but a few bucks now to help convince other people to vote for the sexy beast. Here's their pitch: almost a half-million new jobs once the train's completed in a decade, increased tourism, increased commerce, and faster movement of people, goods, and services.
· New site for high-speed train [Curbed LA]
Tomorrow is the official start date of the "Hail-a-Taxi" (HAT) program in Downtown and Hollywood. While taxis in Los Angeles have previously faced fines for pulling over in certain areas to pick up passengers, this six-month pilot program will allow you to drunkenly hail down any and all taxis that you desire. For newbies, here are some tips on how to hail a taxi. One suggestion: "Make yourself as big as possible." [Curbed InBox]
As mentioned previously, the construction of 23-story eco-condo building Evo was documented for the National Geographic series "LA Hard Hats" and now the show's website features an interactive section where you can build you own multi-million dollar South Park tower. There's also sketches, designs, and a 3D tour of the glassy tower. Go build there if you can't afford the real thing aka that $1.1 million Elleven penthouse that just hit the market yesterday.
· LA Hard Hats [Official Site]
· Curbed Wire: Evo on TV [Curbed LA]
Our park system sucks and we best fix it if we hope to achieve our destiny. That's the crux of LA Weekly's* feature on our dearth of green space. Writer Matthew Fleischer compares LA with Paris of the 1800s; hoping our city will follow the French lead and invest as heavily in parks as we have in the arts. We have a long way to go, says Fleischer. Downtown's Pershing Square smells, Echo Park's Elysian Park is too isolated, Echo Park Lake is dirty, and Griffith Park is more wilderness preserve than park. The greening of the LA River gets a jab, as does the 16-acre "Central Park" that will be built near City Hall. Well, thinking positively, the under-construction Cornfield Park in Chinatown and the new Vista Hermosa park in City West seem nice. *Is that a hint of bias we smell in some of your articles, LA Weekly? Grain of salt, Curbed readers. But look at those pretty pics! [All images via LA Weekly]UPDATE: "A rendering of a re-imagined Cornfield" is the caption on the above rendering in the LA Weekly story, but it's been pointed out there is no water near the Cornfield. Massive confusion. Headline updated.
· Parks and Wreck [LA Weekly]
· Vista Hermosa Park to open [Curbed LA]
The New York Times' Christopher Maag has a story on Seattle shutting down its automatic public toilets (commodes that clean and sanitize themselves after every use) after they became filthy homes for drug-addled hookers. There was also an issue with money; these dumpers are usually financed by outdoor advertising companies, which maintain and operate them in exchange for advertising on bus benches and such. Seattle had a law prohibiting a deal like that, so taxpayers had to bear the cost. But LA loves advertising, and has somehow managed to keep the crappers clean (we have 13, mostly in Downtown, specifically Skid Row, although some downtown toilets are still awaiting opening). But neighborhood groups are fighting additional advertising, which means no money for additional toilets. Well, as every Angeleno knows, if there's no toilet around, people will always find an alley to stink up. [NY Times]
To please San Gabriel Valley interests, there's a good chance toll lanes may not be in the cards for the 210 freeway, but will instead be moved to the 110, says Los Angeles Times' Steve Hymon. This Spring, the federal government handed LA County over $200 million in buses and rail cars in exchange for implementing congestion pricing (toll roads) on area freeways. Initially chosen for the tolling was the 10 freeway, east of Downtown (which should remain), and the 210 which cuts through the SGV. Mayor Villaraigosa is trying to get SGV bureaucrats to support a half-cent sales tax for transit improvements, but they don't like toll lanes in their backyards and that's a factor in their support for the new tax. To placate them, and their voters, the mayor is pushing to move tolling to the 110, south of Downtown. The ends justify the means. [LA Times]
Oh, my—what to say about the new "art project" that decorates a median near Ninth and Main on the edge of Downtown's Fashion District? The Downtown News reports that the globes—which look like styrofoam—are actually colored glass that light up at night. The balls are part of a median landscaping project funded by Metro to the tune of $400,000 (how much do new buses cost?).
Los Angeles magazine devotes their July cover to Downtown's resurgence, offering articles on nightlife impresario Cedd Moses; the Fashion District's Santee Alley; a blogger IM chat on restaurants; the shopping and real estate scene (including Barker Blocks and Molino Lofts); and a nicely-written first-person piece on downtown living by M.G. Lord. Also, the 64 greatest things in LA (contest? vote?) are narrowed down to 4: Amoeba, Capitol Records, The Weather, and... Pink's. Yes, Angelenos voted a hot dog stand as better than Chateau Marmont; The Hollywood Sign; KCRW; the Farmer's Market; the Venice Canals; Arclight, MOCA; Union Station, etc... UPDATE: As a reader points out, the list on lamag.com is now down to two: Amoeba and The Weather. Thoughts?
· LA magazine [Official Site]
During yesterday's interactive Metro chat on mta.net, an answer from the transit agency's Pam O'Connor severely irked the bloggers at la.metblogs. Following a question about bike paths, O'Connor instructed cyclists to "be sure to tell your city council member that bike paths and bike networks are important!" Metblogs took umbrage, saying it's Metro's job to work with ACTING MAYOR Eric Garcetti and friends, not the commuters. The most contentious bike path right now is the one planned from Downtown to Canoga Park that's being resisted by NBC Universal. The councilman repping Universal is none other than our ACTING MAYOR. RELATED: Today is Dump the Pump Day. Did traffic seem lighter? Did people dump? [la.metblogs]
· Metro has communications problems [la.metblogs]
· Fearing script deluge, NBC tries to block path [Curbed LA]
Pershing Square—the sad little concrete park in the middle of Downtown's hustle and bustle—is getting an injection of green literally and figuratively, reports blogdowntown. The Department of Parks and Recreation is spending $190,000 to renovate the park's Palm Court, which is currently covered in dirt, statues, and weird balls from the '80s. Expect to see more grass and new drought-resistant plantings and exercise equipment. Adding to the good news is that the work will be fast-tracked, with some additions expected in six months. Hopefully, this little fix will be a precursor to the million-dollar park work promised by the soon to arrive Park Fifth skyscraper next door. [Blogdowntown]
Urban enthusiasts have created their dream of Downtown LA for an art project at the 7th and Fig Art Space, reports la.streetsblog. Imagining the city core of the future, planning enthusiasts created a 3-D model with lots of skyscrapers (does anyone see The Grand?) and green space, but little room for cars. Trolleys are the future once again as they zip tiny people to subway and light-rail stations. The exhibit also includes photographer Gary Leonard's pics of Downtown's changing skyline in the past decade.
· Model imagines a sustainable Downtown [la.streetsblog]
· Streetcar possibility has Downtown fired up [Curbed LA]
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From the studio lots to the downtown lofts. From the beachfront bungalows to the canyon views. From the south bay to the valley, from the westside to the eastside—Curbed LA covers our sense of place, and the neighborhoods we call home. Read more about Curbed LA...
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Tomorrow is the official start date of the "Hail-a-Taxi" (HAT) program in Downtown and Hollywood. While taxis in Los Angeles have previously faced fines for pulling over in certain areas to pick up passengers, this six-month pilot program will allow you to drunkenly hail down any and all taxis that you desire. For newbies, 
